By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

Georgetown High School's Leonard Leak is headed to The Apprentice School in Newport News, Va., to play football and learn how to build ships.

"It feels good to be able to go on to the next level," Leak said.

"This is going to be the hardest young man to replace of anybody that we have," said Bulldogs football coach Bradley Adams. "Since we got here, Leonard has been the heart and soul of this football program. Since we started the rebuilding process, he supported himself and every football coach."

Apprentice School students can study different aspects of shipbuilding such as sheet metal, welding, rigging, pipefitting or heating and air conditioning. Leak has chosen to become an inside machinist.

Leak led the Bulldogs in rushing in 2011, picking up 962 yards on 107 carries, and scored 12 touchdowns in 11 games.

His longest run was a 51-yarder in the last game of the regular season against Wilson.

He scored three touchdowns in a game twice in 2011, against Mullins and in the playoff game against Bluffton.

Adams said Leak is a high character young man and a born leader.

"Leonard has a natural leadership ability inside of him that a lot if people don't have. And that leadership is something that we're going to really, really sorely miss," Adams said. "Leonard is going to be a leader anywhere he goes, because of his work ethic and the way he carries himself."

Leak's best advice to his younger teammates is to work hard and stay focused.

"It takes a lot of hard work, team work and dedication," Leak said.

The Apprentice School is a Division III program. The Builders went 2-8 last season and hired a new head coach, Paul Hoffman, in January.

"This is a very good program," Adams said. "It's not about the size of the school or what they have or don't have it's about what type of education and what best fits you."